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Implementing Environmental Justice in Air Enforcement

June 15, 2011 United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 2011 NACAA Joint Permitting and Enforcement Workshop Chicago, IL. Implementing Environmental Justice in Air Enforcement. U.S. EPA Region 5. Six States: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin

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Implementing Environmental Justice in Air Enforcement

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  1. June 15, 2011 United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 2011 NACAA Joint Permitting and Enforcement Workshop Chicago, IL Implementing Environmental Justice in Air Enforcement

  2. U.S. EPA Region 5 • Six States: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin • 30 Tribal Areas • Industrial “Rust Belt”

  3. Environmental Justice (EJ) • Feb. 11, 1994 Executive Order 12898: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/resources/policy/exec_order_12898.pdf • In Draft Plan EJ 2014, EPA will seek to meaningfully engage with communities and stakeholders. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/resources/policy/plan-ej-2014.pdf

  4. Region 5 Demographics (U.S. Census Data) • Total Population: 51,676,882 • Children Under 5 Years Old: 3,410,380 • Senior Citizens (Over 65)6,789,897 • Minorities 9,787,889 • Below Poverty Level 6,464,322

  5. Traditional Sector Enforcement • Region 5 has achieved air emission reductions at the following industrial sectors: • Coal-fired Boilers • Cement Kilns • Acid Plants • Secondary Metals • Chemical Plants • Refineries • Sector-based investigations

  6. Region 5 Air Emission Reductions (FY 2011)

  7. Challenges for Enforcement in Environmental Justice Areas • Smaller local sources – lower emission reductions if you get a case • Fewer /weaker regulations that apply • May not know source of pollution problem • Unrealistic expectations of local citizens

  8. Importance of Focusing Enforcement in EJ Areas • Close proximity of industrial sources to nearby residents/schools – Health Impacts • EJ Sources have often not been scrutinized - State and Federal enforcement agencies have often focused on larger emitters (sectors) in non-EJ areas • Citizens in EJ areas have felt underserved

  9. Region 5 Air Enforcement Approach • Community Group Outreach: • Set up meetings with local citizen groups • Problem facilities in local area • SEP ideas that benefit local communities • Groups are typically excited to discuss their concerns • Targeting Local Areas for Enforcement • Census tract data • Health risk • Air quality

  10. Questions? Please feel free to contact me, if you have any further questions: Kushal Som Environmental Engineer U.S. EPA Region 5 Office (312) 353-5792

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